This guide to creative home financing outlines basic concepts needed in shopping for a home loan. Many plans are described so that buyers can make their own decisions. The guide contains three sections: (1) getting started--highlighting the essentials; (2) defining terms; and (3) payment tables. The first section summarizes 15 financing plans in a reference chart: fixed rate mortgage; 15-year mortgage; adjustable rate mortgage; renegotiable rate mortgage (rollover); balloon mortgage; graduated payment mortgage; shared appreciation mortgage; assumable mortgage; seller take-back; wraparound; growing equity mortgage (rapid payoff mortgage); land contract; buy-down; rent with option; and reverse annuity mortgage (equity conversion). Type, description, and considerations are included for each plan. In addition to defining the 15 summarized plans, the second section discusses changing rates, reading the fine print, and losing ground. The third section includes some financial tables to estimate the monthly costs for principal and interest of a specific mortgage or loan. An index and Federal Trade Commission addresses and phone numbers are included. (NLA)